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Key characteristics

Family: Violaceae
Height: 8 to 12 feet
Width: 6 to 10 feet
Flower color: Tiny pale green to yellow green flowers often inconspicuous
Foliage color: Small gray green oval leaves sparsely arranged along distinctive zigzagging dark gray to black branches
Bloom time: Late spring, often May to June
Light: Full sun to light partial shade
Water: Low
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches
Growing zone: USDA zones 8 to 10
Wildlife: Birds that feed on the small white to pale purple berries

Shrubs

Melicytus crassifolius

Thick-Leaved Mahoe

Melicytus crassifolius produces small greenish-yellow flowers in late spring, the modest blooms appearing close along the slender stems. The blossoms are followed by pale berries that develop later in the season. Thick, rounded leaves grow sparsely along the branches, displaying gray-green tones and a leathery texture. The compact foliage and rigid branching create an open, sculptural framework that remains visible throughout the year.

Native to New Zealand, Melicytus crassifolius grows naturally in coastal and rocky habitats.

Light

Full sun to light partial shade

Water

Low

Bloom time

Late spring, often May to June

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Coastal Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Bird Gardens

Companion plants

Daphne · Pearlbush · Bluestar · Rock cress · Pampas Grass · Pasque flower

Design tip

Use Melicytus crassifolius as a sculptural accent where its unusual branching can be seen clearly rather than crowded by neighboring plants. Surround it with lower-growing plants or groundcovers to preserve views of its open framework and emphasize its distinctive form.